Environmental Documentaries SeriesENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES SCHEDULED FOR 2015-16 ACADEMIC YEAR

The SHU Sustainable College Committee will host a biweekly series of outstanding environmental documentaries during the 2015-16 academic year. All events will be from 7-9 p.m.

All events are free to SHU students, faculty and staff as well as community members. However, donations are welcome as we are trying to raise enough funds to be able to join the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Please use the Donation Form in the above links.There will be a short introduction before the showing of the documentaries. Following the showings, there will be an optional discussion on the topic of the movie and how well the issue was covered. Below is the current tentative schedule, with the title and topic it covers:

The Humanities faculty will conduct a Teach-In from 5-6:30 p.m.tonight in Rueckert Auditorium. Concerned about the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, the rise of ISIS, and the recent rash of worldwide terrorist attacks? Want more information about what's actually going on? This informal panel discussion and Q&A, led by Siena faculty, will focus on understanding and contextualizing these events and the political and social responses to them. The teach-in is open to all faculty, staff and students, and hopefully will serve as a starting point for productive discussions of these complex issues. Pizza will be served.

We're trying out a new use for the SRC blog, sharing articles on current events related to social justice issues. Recent developments at the University of Missouri present a powerful and still developing story with which to launch this new feature. On November 2, Jonathan Butler, a graduate student at the university, began a hunger strike to protest racist conditions on campus and call for the resignation or removal of Tim Wolfe, president of the University of Missouri. Butler's protest was not isolated, but part of an ongoing struggle by campus activists frustrated with incidents of racism and with Wolfe's perceived inaction in response to their concerns. This weekend, more than 30 players from the school's football team announced on social media that they would not participate in any practices or games until Wolfe resigned or was removed from office. Their head coach and the coaching staff officially threw their support behind the student-athletes. A number of faculty planned to walk out of their classrooms today and hold a teach-in to support student activists. Then, this afternoon, Wolfe resigned from his position.

Here are links to a selection of articles on what has happened so far at Missouri. In the comments, please feel free to share other articles that you find useful for illuminating these events, fleshing out the bigger picture, or continuing the conversation about student (and student-athlete) activism.

Jacqueline Battalora '88, a past president of SHU Student Government, charter Saints women's soccer player and current professor at St. Xavier University in Chicago, will discuss her book, Birth of a White Nation: The Invention of White People and Its Relevance Today, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in Rueckert Auditorium. After her speech, a question-and-answer session will follow. The attorney and former Chicago police officer will also receive the Sister Ann Joachim Award at the Alumni Awards ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday in St. Dominic Chapel.

This year's Common Dialogue Day is TOMORROW, September 29, 2015. The day kicks off at 9:30 a.m. in Francoeur Theater, where Brian Stevenson will speak about his book Just Mercy. A question-and-answer session will follow his speech at 10:30 a.m., and he will also conduct a book signing at 12:30 p.m. in the McLaughlin University Center. There are numerous other sessions planned throughout the day on topics related to this year's academic theme, justice. You can find the complete schedule for the dayhere.

As we look towards the first week of October, there are several other exciting events on the horizon related to issues of social justice.

Monday, 10/5/2015, Allies and Advocates ProgramSHU's new Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Sharese Mathis, has organized multiple sessions with T.J. Jourian, the featured speaker for the "Allies and Advocates" program Oct. 5 in Rueckert Auditorium. There will be sessions at noon, 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. and the seminars are designed to provide LGBTQI education, terminology and information. All members of the Siena community are invited to attend. In addition, plans are in the works for a collaboration between Diversity and Inclusion and the SHU Library to celebrate Free Speech Week from October 19-25. You are invited to click here to complete a survey of your participation interests for this week-long celebration.

Tuesday, 10/6/2015, SRC Fall Brown-Bag Discussion on RaceThe Committee for Social Responsibility invites all members of the SHU community to a series of informal lunch-hour discussions on topics related to social justice and social responsibility. All discussions will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on the second floor of the dining hall. Participants will be required to pay for entrance into the dining hall. Please note that no previous knowledge of or experience with any particular topic is necessary. Participants need only have an interest in the topic.

Tuesday, 10/6/2015, Sustainable College Committee Documentary SeriesThe SHU Sustainable College Committee hosts the next in their environmental documentary series from 7-9 p.m. on October 6, when they will screen"More Than Honey" in the University Center Community Room. All events are free to SHU students, faculty and staff as well as community members. There will be a short introduction before the showing of the documentaries. Following the showings, there will be an optional discussion on the topic of the movie and how well the issue was covered. This faculty-led program and any related discussion is for educational benefit only.

The SHU Sustainable College Committee also invites SHU students to attend the second annual Students for Zero Waste Conference Oct. 9-10 at the University of New Hampshire. The conference features workshops and presentations from students, activists, industry innovators and non-profit leaders from around the country. Supplemental travel scholarships are available. To apply, complete this form and return to Faye@postlandfill.org. For more information on the conference, click here.

It's the second week of the semester and there are already many events and opportunities for participation on campus related to issues of social responsibility. Here are some upcoming events and campaigns you may be interested in:

TODAY, 9/10/2015, Presentations at the Weber CenterThe Adrian Dominican Sisters' Portfolio Advisory Board (PAB) invites the Siena community to join them for a special education day. The program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m. today in the auditorium at Weber Retreat and Conference Center at the Motherhouse campus. The program will involve presentations by guest speakers on a variety of issues and social service programs, including:

Sarah Power will address the issue of human trafficking from 9:15-10:15 a.m.

Pat Zerega will speak about climate change from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Charles Hammerman, president and CEO of Disability Opportunity Fund (DOF), will speak from 1-1:45 p.m. on supportive housing.

James Balmer, president of Dawn Farm, and Charles Coleman, coordinator of the Chapin Street Project, will also speak on supportive housing and programs from 2-2:45 p.m.

Ending Tuesday, 9/17/2015, "Snacks for Kids for Catholic Charities" The Social and Behavioral Sciences Division has adopted a project, "Snacks for Kids for Catholic Charities," for the Lenawee United Way Day of Action. Catholic Charities is requesting healthy snacks that it can provide to its clients either before or after counseling sessions. Individually wrapped and non-perishable healthy snacks, which might include fruit snacks, pretzels, trail mix, fruit cups and granola, are requested. Any individual, division, department, organization or group, willing to donate any items, please leave with Dalila John or Mickey Rawson in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division on the fourth floor of Sacred Heart Hall. All items must be collected by 5 p.m. Thursday, September 17.

Wednesday, 9/18/2015, United Way Day of ActionSHU will once again participate in the upcoming United Way Day of Action on September 18. SHU will partner with the HOPE Community Center for a morning project/activity from 9 a.m. to approximately noon. Anyone interested in volunteering, please contact team leader Doug Goodnough at dgoodnou@sienaheights.edu for details.

Tuesday, 9/22/2015, SRC Fall Brown-Bag Discussion on Socioeconomic StatusThe Committee for Social Responsibility invites all members of the SHU community to a series of informal lunch-hour discussions on topics related to social justice and social responsibility. All discussions will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on the second floor of the dining hall. Participants will be required to pay for entrance into the dining hall. Please note that no previous knowledge of or experience with any particular topic is necessary. Participants need only have an interest in the topic.

Tuesday, 9/22/2015, Sustainable College Committee Documentary SeriesThe SHU Sustainable College Committee hosts the next in their environmental documentary series from 7-9 p.m. on September 22, when they will screen "Trashed: No Place For Waste" in the University Center Community Room. Because of limited seating, please RSVP in advance to sustainability@sienaheights.edu. All events are free to SHU students, faculty and staff as well as community members. There will be a short introduction before the showing of the documentaries. Following the showings, there will be an optional discussion on the topic of the movie and how well the issue was covered. This faculty-led program and any related discussion is for educational benefit only.

Tuesday, 9/29/2015, Common Dialogue Day, Call for Discussion TopicsCommon Dialogue Day is quickly approaching! Faculty, staff and students again have the opportunity to present and lead discussion on their chosen topics with the community. This year's theme is "Justice," so pick a topic/title by yourself or with some friends and complete the online form. Let your thoughts be heard! Remember, the SHU community appreciates creativity. For more information or any questions, contact Julius Nagy at jnagy@sienaheights.edu.

The SHU Sustainable College Committee will host a biweekly series of outstanding environmental documentaries during the 2015-16 academic year. All events will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays in the University Center community room. Because of limited seating, please RSVP in advance to sustainability@sienaheights.edu.

All events are free to SHU students, faculty and staff as well as community members. There will be a short introduction before the showing of the documentaries. Following the showings, there will be an optional discussion on the topic of the movie and how well the issue was covered. This faculty-led program and any related discussion is for educational benefit only. Below is the current tentative schedule, with the title and topic it covers:

The Sustainable College Committee is also looking for members to serve on the committee in the coming academic year. The committee is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. If you are interested, you can contact sustainability@sienaheights.edu.

Welcome Week is almost upon us! Have you had a chance to read Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption? For more information about the book and about Stevenson's work, check out the Common Reading Experience pageon the FYE site.

The conversation raised by the book will continue on September 29, 2015, when Stevenson will address the Siena community as the featured speaker for Common Dialogue Day.

Looking to learn more about social responsibility issues while meeting colleagues and peers at another local university?

The Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan has posted their Fall 2015 calendar of events, many of which complement Siena's 2015-16 focus on justice and peace.

This calendar includes something for everyone, across all disciplines and areas of study. Co-sponsors for upcoming events include the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance; the Prison Creative Arts Program; the School of Kinesiology; the School of Social Work; the Helen Zell Creative Writing Program; the UM Initiative on Disability Studies; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Program in Sexual Rights and Reproductive Justice; and the Science, Technology, and Society Program. And fans of Orange is the New Black should note that Piper Kerman, author of the memoir on which the show is based, will give a lecture on October 13.

All events are free unless otherwise noted on the IRWG calendar. Carpooling is encouraged, because it's better for the environment and gives you a chance to socialize with your fellow riders on the drive to Ann Arbor.

The Committee for Social Responsibility invites all members of the Siena Heights community to a series of informal lunch-hour discussions on topics related to social justice and social responsibility. All discussions will take place on the second floor of the dining hall. Participants will be required to pay for entrance into the dining hall. Please note that no previous knowledge of or experience with any particular topic is necessary. Participants need only have an interest in the topic.

SCHEDULE

Current Issues Related to SOCIOECONOMIC STATUSDATE — Tuesday, September 22nd noon-1pmCurrent Issues Related to RACEDATE — Tuesday, October 6th noon-1pmCurrent Issues Related to GENDERDATE — Tuesday, October 27th noon-1pmCurrent Issues Related to ENVIRONMENTDATE — Thursday, November 12th noon-1pmSponsored by the Committee for Social ResponsibilityFor more information about these brown-bag discussions or resources related to social responsibility, please check out the rest of the committee website at socialresponsibilitycommittee.sienaheights.eduWe'll post reminders about each session as the date approaches.